Tourist in custody after bashed man dies

Ronald Brown

A 29 year-old Hungarian tourist is in custody after the fatal bashing of a man in Onehunga on Friday.

Ronald James Brown died in Auckland Hospital at 8.40pm yesterday after his life support system was switched off yesterday afternoon. He had been assaulted in his Matiere Rd home late on Friday night.

His death brings to four the number of killings in the last four days.

Police were called to the Onehunga home at about 12.50am on Saturday morning where they found a badly beaten Mr Brown on the ground floor and a 29 year-old man in an upper level of the home. He was arrested at the scene and appeared in court yesterday charged with Crimes Act Assault and Intentional Damage.

At a second court hearing at the Auckland District Court today he was further remanded until Thursday for a bail application hearing.

Police, who have launched a homicide inquiry, said more serious charges are likely to be laid, although not today.

A post-mortem examination is being carried out on Mr Brown this morning.

Police would like to hear from Friday night patrons of the 306 Bar in Onehunga Mall who may be able to assist the inquiry.

It's understood Mr Brown was there early in the evening and left in the company of a younger man at about 9pm.

* Contact the homicide investigation team at Glen Innes Police Station on 09 524 1936.